Someone left their shoes by the newspaper thing in Lerner on Monday. The authorities describe the person as “having his/her feet on the wrong feet.”

Know what you’re going to be for Halloween? Neither do we. With three days to go, it’s time to give in and get serious—you’re not going to buck gender normativity this year, pal. But all is not lost, with this list of easy-to-find, last minute costumes. Hustle over to Ricky’s (you know you’ve always wanted to see the inside) or a friend’s well-stocked closet so you don’t feel like a fool come Friday

Grad student: She works nights to pay for her Ph.D., but that doesn’t mean she can’t have a little fun.  The “Slutty Barista” ($29.99) is at Ricky’s.





Columbia’s Shrinking Endowment: Find a large friend and wear his clothes. A variation on the traditional “Shrinking Woman” costume.



The Regretful Carman Resident: Doodle on yourself with permanent marker.  Look forlorn, and repeat: “No, guys! I was napping, not passed out!”

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Bwog has been informed that the above treasure is the first thing that greets your eyes when you enter the EC lobby. Professor-in-residence Harrist discovered it on his deck.

As everyone slogging towards the housing process finish line knows, East Campus is nice. Nice enough for professors to consent to live there, despite the social disadvantages of sharing a building with 700 undergrads and about half as many clean pairs of underwear at any given time. Don’t scare them away. And don’t leave your shoes on the windowsill.

Bwog returned to the sundial for its second lunch of activism in two days. The speakout began promptly at 12:00 PM activist time (aka “12:13″).  A wan student (to the accompaniment of a bongo drum, vital in any event requiring “atmosphere”) listed the names and ages of the victims of conflict. He was surrounded by pairs of shoes – a setup clearly designed to commemorate the thousands of men, women and children who’ve lost their lives in Gaza.

Among the guest speakers was Phyllis Bennis of the Institute for Policy Studies, who gave a rousing damnation of the general state of world affairs, asserting that the war was “made possible by the US’s tax dollars,” and also on the soapbox were slightly less vocal but nonetheless sincere representatives of the various student organizations (“I’m really nervous,” practically mumbled one of them). Yet excepting the occasional flyer-thrusting and poster-hoisting that was involved, the event maintained its solemn disposition.

Yet the solemnity eventually gave way to mulling about. Busy non-participants shuffled their way through the middle of the crowd. Two participants seemed more concerned with talking about their law school applications than the event at hand. Then someone thrust a flag into their hands and they perked up, renewed with idealistic zeal.  Read more…

In the midst of finals, inclement weather and many sugary holiday indulgences, a general regard for one’s physical appearance tends to decline. Although this time of year challenges the integrity of even the most savvy of style savants, here at Columbia, fashion perseveres. 

That said, Columbians are always a sensible set.  Given the current combination of bad weather, finals and the like, pragmatism reigns supreme on campus.  That’s right, fashion during finals upholds the golden rule: form fits function. 

So forget those suede stilettos. A recent stroll through Butler proves that right now comfort and durability comes in all shapes and form of footwear.  From snow boots to slippers, Bwog has seen it all.  If you want to get in on this trend, Bwog recommends the thick wool socks and boots look.  Or to maximize your Butler study comfort, tuck your favorite pair of warm booties or bedroom slippers in your backpack and break ‘em out when you get to 209.  Don’t worry about decorum — everybody else is doing it too!

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The worst part of not having a yacht used to be not being able to wear Sperrys.  But thankfully things have changed:  This fall, those soft leather little loafers are appropriate for everyone. So go wild! Go on a Sperrys spree! 

And it’s not just about the traditional brown either.  Hanging out on College Walk, Bwog has seen spins on Sperrys in all shapes and colors. While brown Sperrys and pair of Madras shorts is the uniform of choice among the preppier set at Columbia, a worn-in pair of white or red Sprerrys complements skinny jeans perfectly and can be a welcome alternative to Vans this fall.  Here are the styles we’ve found in about campus this week: 

UPDATE 7 PM: Shocking News concerning your boat shoes, from a Greek life insider: Apparently, last night four freshman boys were denied entrance to a Sig Ep-thrown, country club-themed party, at which, our tipsters notes, there were “boat shoes all around.” One of the spurned freshman yelled “nice boat shoes, bitch!” which naturally led to violence and the subsequent arrival of the police.

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There’s nothing Columbia students love more than an event they can’t get into.  This week’s Obama/McCain event, PrezBo’s  periodic fireside chats, and the Heights on just about any Thursday night all come to mind.  Fall Fashion Week is about as exclusive as it gets, and that the week’s runway shows and collections have largely gone under Columbia’s radar is more telling of our campus style than it is of the popularity of the event.  

This aside, some patterns have emerged:

Little Black Pointy Shoes  

Move over Tory Burch. Think of these saddle-shoe inspired booties as a replacement for your trusty flats. They go well paired with black stockings and a skirt for a fancier look or with just shorts or jeans for a more tousled appearance.

More after the jump. Read more…

Cold season is fast approaching and Bwog doesn’t want you catching one. For advice on how to stay healthy this winter, correspondent Kate Linthicum sought out Roman, the cryptic, clever shoe repairman who works at Paul’s Shoe Repair on 111^th and Broadway. The 55-year-old with a shy smile but a hearty, rumbling laugh says he learned the tricks in his native Ukraine. He freely gives counsel to shoppers at the store, his words masked by an accent as thick as his shoe-polish stained fingers. “You follow this advice you’re going to feel much better,” he promises. “Your stress is going to melt away.” 

On pain in the body:

First, pray to God and ask him for strength. Then sit in a chair and relax all of your muscles. You have to think about your right hand and nothing else for ten minutes. Keep your mind concentrating on that hand, and then you’ll be cured.  

On eye irritation:

Spit ten times out your mouth and whatever is bothering your eye will come out. Sometimes, if it’s bad, you must spit eleven times. 

On anxiety:

Imagine your right hand is really warm, you’ll feel completely relaxed.  

On headaches:

Headaches happen when you eat something with toxins. Nighttime it’s no good to eat canned food because there are too many chemicals. Go natural, like we do in Ukraine.

On stress:

Take it easy and don’t be rushed. Life is dangerous, a lot of people get hit by cars.  

Fatigue:

Some people take your energy away. Don’t let them do that.

P.S. Ladies, he says he’s looking for a second wife . .  .